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Writer's pictureNick Saward

S.W.A.T. bell hooks Feminism

S.W.A.T. is an American drama television series based on the 1975 television series of the same name. It is about a SWAT division in the LAPD and follows Captain Hondo as they tackle crime in Los Angeles and also all of the challenges that come with being an person of colour and sometimes female in SWAT.



The reason that i chose this TV show and the representations theory bell hooks' feminism is because bell hooks believes that race and class as well as sex determine the extent to which individuals are exploited, discriminated against or oppressed. This show tries to incorporate these ideas into most of the episodes for example in some episodes in season three a racist group "Imperial dukes" have spread there racist comments through social media which is similar to what has happened in many real life situations for example the Euro 2021 Saka racism which was spread through social media for example Twitter. However this shows could be used to educate people on these issues and how it can dramatically affect someones life and as shown in this TV show end someones life. The show shows the idea that African Americans including police officers are discriminated against and oppressed. Although this is a fictional show it mentions real life issues for the example the Rodney King riots in 1992 Los Angeles and the 2020 riots after the death of George Floyd by police. However this show is showing that the the writers of this shows are using their platform to prove that "Feminism is a political commitment rather than a lifestyle choice" because the show has proven that its ideologies align with what bell hooks believes. The show also has a strong belief that women should be treated equally in a workplace such as the police because in the show one of the major characters is a Latina female SWAT officer who believes that she always has to try harder to prove herself to her male colleagues which is also why she tries to prove to a training police officer that if they prove their worth they can make a real change in the LAPD which also aligns with bell hooks idea that there is still patriarchal oppression that exists in many areas of work because even in the show her captain and lieutenant are male which means she feels like she needs to work her way up the ranks and prove herself worthy of being a member of SWAT.

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